Sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD) is the most prevalent form of human prion disease and it is characterized by the presence of neuronal loss, spongiform degeneration, chronic inflammation and the accumulation of misfolded and pathogenic prion protein (PrPSc). The molecular mechanisms underlying these alterations are largely unknown, but the presence of intracellular neuronal calcium (Ca+2) overload, a general feature in models of prion diseases, is suggested to play a key role in prion pathogenesis. Here we describe the presence of massive regulation of Ca+2 responsive genes in sCJD brain tissue, accompanied by two Ca+2-dependent processes: endoplasmic reticulum stress and the activation of the cysteine proteases Calpains 1/2. Pathogenic Calpain activation in sCJD is linked to the cleavage of their cellular substrates, impaired autophagy and lysosomal damage, which is partially reversed by Calpain inhibition in a cellular prion model. Calpain 1 treatment enhances seeding activity of PrPSc in a prion conversion assay. Neuronal lysosomal impairment caused by Calpain over activation leads to the release of the lysosomal protease Cathepsin S that in sCJD mainly localises in axons. Additionally, massive Cathepsin S overexpression is detected in microglial cells. Alterations in Ca+2 homeostasis and activation of Calpain-Cathepsin axis already occur at pre-clinical stages of the disease as detected in a humanized sCJD mouse model. Altogether our work indicates that unbalanced Calpain-Cathepsin activation is a relevant contributor to the pathogenesis of sCJD at multiple molecular levels and a potential target for therapeutic intervention. Overall design: To identify differentially expressed genes during development of sCJD pathology we analysed the expression levels in the cortical region of tg340-PRNP129MM mice infected with sCJD MM1 brain homogenates at pre-clinical (120 dpi) and clinical (180 dpi) stages.
Altered Ca<sup>2+</sup> homeostasis induces Calpain-Cathepsin axis activation in sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
Subject, Time
View SamplesGene expression analysis from erythroid progenitors (CD34+/CD71(high)/CD45- mononuclear cells from the bone marrow) of patients with Diamond-Blackfan anemia (due to RPS19 mutations) and control individuals.
Altered translation of GATA1 in Diamond-Blackfan anemia.
Specimen part, Disease
View SamplesCurrently there is no method available to predict response to farnesyltransferase inhibitors (FTI). We analyzed gene expression profiles from the bone marrow of patients from a phase 2 study of the FTI tipifarnib, in older adults with previously untreated acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The RASGRP1:APTX gene expression ratio was found to predict response to tipifarnib with the greatest accuracy. This two-gene ratio was validated by quantitative PCR (QPCR) in the newly diagnosed AML cohort. We further demonstrated that this classifier could predict response to tipifarnib in an independent set of 54 samples from relapsed or refractory AML, with a negative predictive value (NPV) and positive predictive value (PPV) of 92% and 28%, respectively (odds ratio of 4.4). The classifier also predicted for improved overall survival (154 vs 56 days, p = 0.0001), which was shown to be independent of other prognostic factors including a previously described gene expression classifier predictive of overall survival. Therefore, these data indicate that a two-gene expression assay may have utility in categorizing a population of AML patients who are more likely to respond to tipifarnib.
A 2-gene classifier for predicting response to the farnesyltransferase inhibitor tipifarnib in acute myeloid leukemia.
Sex, Age, Disease
View SamplesMgrR is a newly characterized Hfq dependent small RNA RNA. The expression of MgrR is regulated by Two component system, PhoPQ regulon, which senses low Mg2+ in environment. It has been reported that Hfq-binding sRNAs base pair with target RNAs, frequently leading to rapid degradation of target messages or, less frequently, to stabilization, both of which can be assayed by using microarrays. In order to search for the target genes of MgrR, we therefore examined the consequences of MgrR expression on mRNA abundance under two conditions. In condition 1, the chromosomal copy of mgrR was deleted and MgrR was expressed for 15 from an induced plac-mgrR plasmid and compared to cells carrying a vector induced for the same period. In condition 2, the expression of mRNAs was compared in wild-type cells (mgrR+) and the mgrR deletion strain, both grown in LB; because MgrR levels are fairly high under our normal growth conditions, this allowed analysis of both the direct and indirect (long-term) effects of MgrR.
A PhoQ/P-regulated small RNA regulates sensitivity of Escherichia coli to antimicrobial peptides.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesNeural precursor cells (NPCs) in the mammalian neocortex generate various neuronal and glial cell types in a developmental stage-dependent manner. Most neocortical NPCs lose their neurogenic potential after birth. We have previously shown that high mobility group A (HMGA) proteins confer the neurogenic potential on early-stage NPCs during the midgestation period, although the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Here we performed microarray analysis and compared expression profiles between control and HMGA2-overexpressed NPCs.
IMP2 regulates differentiation potentials of mouse neocortical neural precursor cells.
Specimen part
View SamplesPlant cells contain different O-acetylserine(thiol)lyase (OASTL) enzymes involved in Cys biosynthesis and located in different subcellular compartments. These enzymes are made up of a complex variety of isoforms resulting in different subcellular Cys pools. To unravel the contribution of cytosolic Cys to plant metabolism, we characterized the knockout oas-a1.1 and osa-a1.2 mutants, deficient in the most abundant cytosolic OASTL isoform in Arabidposis thaliana. Total intracellular Cys and glutathione concentrations were reduced, and the glutathione redox state was shifted in favour of its oxidized form. Interestingly, the capability of the mutants to chelate heavy metals did not differ from that of the wild type, but the mutants have an enhanced sensitivity to Cd. With the aim of establishing the metabolic network most influenced by the cytosolic Cys pool, we used the ATH1 GeneChip for evaluation of differentially expressed genes in the oas-a1.1 mutant grown under non-stress conditions. The transcriptomic footprints of mutant plants had predicted functions associated with various physiological responses that are dependent on reactive oxygen species and suggested that the mutant was oxidatively stressed. To further elucidate the specific function(s) of the OAS-A1 isoform in the adaptation response to cadmium we extended the trasncriptome experiment to the wild type and oas-a1.1 mutant plants exposed to Cd. The comparison of transcriptomic profiles showed a higher proportion of genes with altered expression in the mutant than in the wild type, highlighting up-regulated genes identified as of the general oxidative stress response rather than metal-responsive genes.
Knocking out cytosolic cysteine synthesis compromises the antioxidant capacity of the cytosol to maintain discrete concentrations of hydrogen peroxide in Arabidopsis.
Specimen part
View SamplesIn bacteria, the biosynthesis of cysteine is accomplished by two enzymes that are encoged by the cysK and cysM genes. CysM is also able to incorporate thiosulfate to produce S-sulfocysteine. In plant cells, the biosynthesis of cysteine occurs in the cytosol, mitochondria and chloroplasts. Chloroplasts contain two O-acetylserine(thiol)lyase homologs, which are encoded by the OAS-B and CS26 genes. An in vitro enzymatic analysis of the recombinant CS26 protein demonstrated that this isoform possesses S-sulfocysteine synthase activity and lacks O-acetylserine(thiol)lyase activity. In vivo functional analysis of this enzyme in knockout mutants demonstrated that mutation of cs26 suppressed the S-sulfocysteine synthase activity that was detected in wild type; furthermore, the mutants exhibited a growth phenotype, but penetrance depended on the light regime. The cs26 mutant plants also had reductions in chlorophyll content and photosynthetic activity (neither of which were observed in oas-b mutants), as well as elevated glutathione levels. However, cs26 leaves were not able to properly detoxify ROS, which accumulated to high levels under long-day growth conditions. The transcriptional profile of the cs26 mutant revealed that the mutation had a pleiotropic effect on many cellular and metabolic processes. Our finding reveals that S-sulfocysteine and the activity of S-sulfocysteine synthase play an important role in chloroplast function and are essential for light-dependent redox regulation within the chloroplast.
Arabidopsis S-sulfocysteine synthase activity is essential for chloroplast function and long-day light-dependent redox control.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesNeural precursor cells (NPCs) are multipotent cells that can generate neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes in the mammalian central nervous system. Although Zbtb20 was expressed in NPCs, its functions in neural development are not fully understood. We performed microarray analysis to examine changes in gene expression between control and Zbtb20-overexpressed NPCs.
Zbtb20 promotes astrocytogenesis during neocortical development.
Specimen part
View SamplesMedulloblastoma is the most common form of malignant paediatric brain tumour and is the leading cause of childhood cancer related mortality. The four molecular subgroups of medulloblastoma that have been identified WNT, SHH, Group 3 and Group 4 - have molecular and topographical characteristics suggestive of different cells of origin. Definitive identification of the cell(s) of origin of the medulloblastoma subgroups, particularly the poorer prognosis Group 3 and Group 4 medulloblastoma, is critical to understand the pathogenesis of the disease, and ultimately for the development of more effective treatment options.
Gene expression analyses of the spatio-temporal relationships of human medulloblastoma subgroups during early human neurogenesis.
Sex, Age
View SamplesStreptococcus suis is a major swine pathogen that can be transmitted to humans causing severe symptoms. A large human outbreak was described in China, where approximately 25% out of 215 infected humans developed an unusual streptococcal toxic shock-like syndrome (STSLS). Albeit increased expression of inflammatory mediators following infection by the Chinese S. suis strain was suggested as responsible for STSLS case severity, the mechanisms involved are still poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the host innate immune response to infection by either one of 3 strains of S. suis: 89-1591 (Canadian, intermediate virulence), P1/7 (European, high virulence), and SC84 (Chinese, epidemic strain). Using Illumina microarray and validating those results with qPCR and Luminex assay, infected mice showed elevated expression of mainly pro-inflammatory chemokine and cytokine genes. Generally, pro-inflammatory genes were expressed at a higher level in mice infected with S. suis strain SC84 > P1/7 > 89-1591. Interestingly, IFN was expressed at much higher levels only in mice infected with the S. suis strain SC84, which could potentially explain some of the STSLS symptoms. IFN-KO mice infected with SC84 showed better survival than WT mice while no differences was seen in mice infected with highly virulent P1/7 strain. Overall, our results show an important role of IFN in S. suis infections and might explain in part the increased virulence of SC84 responsible for a recent outbreak in China.
Exacerbated type II interferon response drives hypervirulence and toxic shock by an emergent epidemic strain of Streptococcus suis.
Sex, Specimen part
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